To Be...A Princess

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Our granddaughter meeting a Disney princess.

June 4

 The news is still all a flutter with the excitement of the recent royal fairy tale wedding.  It's not often someone from the "outside" gets to become a princess in this world.  Now outside of this world, the opportunity exist with a greater possibility.  For all those who call upon the Lord Jesus Christ become a child of the king and have an amazing inheritance awaiting them.

 "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."  John 1:12

 Meghan Markle is now Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Sussex.  With that title comes a new way of life. Last week I read an article about the lifestyle changes she must accept now that she is part of the royal family.  She must become a British citizen, she has had to close her social media accounts, there are restrictions in what she wears, she is not to publicly express her personal opinions, and on the list went.

John Piper has an excellent sermon related to the John 1 verse above and in this he explains what receiving Jesus means.  Lifestyle changes should be evident when we are born again.
"Receiving Jesus means that when Jesus offers himself to you, you welcome him into your life for what he is.
  • If he comes to you as Savior, you welcome his salvation.
  • If he comes to you as Leader, you welcome his leadership.
  • If he comes to you as Provider, you welcome his provision.
  • If he comes to you as Counselor, you welcome his counsel.
  • If he comes to you as Protector, you welcome his protection.
  • If he comes to you as Authority, you welcome his authority.
  • If he comes to you as King, you welcome his rule.
Receiving Jesus means taking Jesus into your life for what he is. It does not mean a kind of peaceful co-existence with a Christ who makes no claims—as though he can stay in the house as long as he doesn't play his music so loud.
When Jesus preached in Nazareth in Luke 4:16, the people received him gladly. It says in Luke 4:22, "All spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth." But a few verses later it says in Luke 4:28 they were "filled with wrath" and tried to throw him down from a cliff. They were happy to receive him while his words were pleasing. But when their pride was fingered, they rejected him. Receiving Jesus does not mean a kind of peaceful co-existence with a Christ who makes no claims. Receiving Jesus means taking him into your life (your home, your school, your work, your marriage, your dreams) for who he really is.

So, becoming a child of the King has lifestyle requirements. We become Spirit led royalty.

"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." Romans 8:14

Meghan Markle is now a princess, but she won't have a pain free, picture perfect life here on earth.  A life which identifies with Christ, those who become a child of God, won't be without hardship for Christ suffered here on earth.  But we are guaranteed eternal life with the King where we will share in Christ's glory!

"Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."  Romans 8:17

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